This Special Issue addresses the theory and practice of socio-technological change in complex socio-ecological systems. It is widely accepted that a transition to a more sustainable global environment will require technological solutions (e.g., renewable energy, improved crop varieties) as well as social and political change. Adoption of new technologies is often slow, even when their benefits are clear from a scientific perspective. As technology is introduced, the social, political, economic, cultural, and ecological contexts in which it operates also change, necessitating new and integrated decision making around the risks, barriers, and opportunities posed by the technology. Decision-makers rarely have access to research or information that can present these considerations in a systemic way. In this issue, we propose to lay the foundation for a new field of study centered on socio-technological system transitions, with the goal of increasing the rate and success of implementing technology that advances sustainability while improving quality of life and protecting core values. This new field will bring together researchers from engineering, natural and social sciences, and humanities, as well as policy makers and stakeholders in a transdisciplinary approach.
Keywords: Technology adoption; Systems change; Transdisciplinary.